Former Waltham Mayor William Stanley dies at 76

The much-beloved father, husband, activist and former Waltham Mayor William “Bill” Stanley died early Wednesday morning at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 76.

Eli Shermanesherman@wickedlocal.com

The much-beloved father, husband, activist and former Waltham Mayor William “Bill” Stanley died early Wednesday morning at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 76.

Stanley, who spent about a decade and a half in City Hall’s corner office on Main Street, brought life to the city with initiatives like revitalizing the downtown and revamping the Waltham Public Library. He was also responsible for starting the Waltham Partnership for Youth 26 years ago. The Senior Center and the Stanley Elementary School are named in his honor.

His loved ones remember him as a man of faith, community and family.

“It’s so wonderful to have a father who has touched so many lives. Literally wherever I went, people would stop me and ask how he was and tell me what a great person he was,” said Stanley’s son Thomas, who followed his father into public service and sits on the City Council and serves as a state representative.

Calling hours will be in Waltham City Hall, 610 Main St., on Sunday, April 13, from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, April 14, in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St., before leaving in procession to Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall St., Waltham, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy praised many of Stanley’s accomplishments, citing the revitalization of Moody Street, the expansion of the Waltham Public Library, the initiation of the School Rebuilding Program in the late ’90s, the historic restoration of the Paine Estate, and the establishment of the Partnership for Youth. Stanley was also instrumental in an agreement with the federal government, Bentley College and New Jewish High School for land acquisition for the city, McCarthy said.

“It is a sad day for the Stanley family and a sad day for the city of Waltham,” McCarthy said. “Mayor Stanley loved his city and left his mark on it.”

Councilor-at-large Joseph Vizard, who grew up while Stanley was in office, fondly remembers him lighting the Christmas tree on the common and seeing him at various events around the city.

“Today when I hear anyone say ‘mayor,’ it’s hard for me not to think of Bill Stanley,” Vizard said.

Stanley first ran for City Council in 1971 on the platform that he would mitigate the growing amount of vegetation that covered Purgatory Cove, which inhibited boat traffic. While preparing for a candidates’ night, Stanley sat his five children down at home to practice his speech. He was the only one who delivered a speech later that night but lost the race in Ward 8.

Stanley ran again and won in 1975, remaining the ward councilor until 1981, when he gave up his seat to run for mayor. He lost to Arthur Clark, but immediately returned to the public eye by knocking on doors and asking residents for their votes. He ran citywide and became councilor-at-large in 1983.

Stanley ran a second time for mayor in 1985, winning this time, and detailed the experience in a Q&A with the Waltham News Tribune in 2013 about running a campaign in the city.

“When I ran for mayor in 1985, computers, videos and social media did not exist. We ran a grassroots old-fashioned campaign. Our campaign office was on Moody Street, and Roberta ran the office, receiving dozens of volunteers who arrived nightly. It was thrilling to be innovative, to hold coffee parties in 30 homes all across the city. It created a real ‘buzz,' we met new people, and it was beneficial for the voters,” Stanley said. “There was an energy and excitement, which grew as we got our message out.

“I remained mayor until my retirement in 2000.”

Stanley’s wife, Roberta, could often be found at Stanley’s side working tirelessly on city and school events. Her contribution was key in the success of Waltham’s 100-year celebration, the annual mayor’s picnic on the common and the re-design of City Hall.

At the age of 61, Stanley decided to step down as Waltham’s 29th mayor, even though many at the time were certain he could have waltzed into a fifth term. Citing some health issues, he said, “I wanted to be able to give the job 100 percent or not do it at all.”

Thomas Stanley said on Wednesday that his father had a certain way with people that made them feel comfortable and important.

“Whoever he met in his entire life, people felt the same way about him. He really carried himself in a special way. He was always committed to Waltham and to his family,” Thomas said. “He never said a bad word about anyone.”

Stanley also served as a state representative in the Massachusetts House from 1977 to 1978. On Thursday morning, the House adjourned in memory of Stanley.

In 2013, the former mayor reflected back on his lifelong commitment to the city he loved and served.

“There is a satisfaction in knowing that we made the city a little better during my tenure. We gained cooperation from people from all walks of life: workers, department heads, elected officials and the general citizenry,” Stanley said. “With their confidence and assistance, we cooperated to make it all happen.”

Stanley is also survived by children Kathleen M. Stanley of Andover, and Mary Beth Stanley, William F. Stanley Jr. and James B. Stanley, all of Waltham, according to the Joyce Funeral Home.